New England Mod & Meetup Thread: May 17 at Jared’s!!

Two questions all about roof racks.

First how long should the silicone last? I can't remember which silicone i got but i do remember it was the "right" stuff. 5 years?

Second somewhat related - I'm going to run through and replace all the hardware with SS, best place to get a handful maybe 40? Sets of 1/4-20 x 1? Maybe 1.5? SS SHCS i think, could go torx, but probably staying away from hex head. I have 2 no 2 PH on there now for the kayak paddle grabber. I wasn't going to do the ones with the silicone until i need to re-up the silicone though.

 

https://www.fastenal.com/product/Fasteners/Bolts/Hex Cap Screws and Hex Bolts?Category Attributes.Dia/Thread Size=1/4"-20&Category Attributes.Material=Stainless Steel&Category Attributes.Type=Hex Cap Screw&Category Attributes.Length=1"&showAll=Category Attributes.Length&categoryId=600003&sortBy=Best Match&includeSuggestedFilters=false

EDIT: looks like the link to the actual products timed out. They had seven SS options in that size

 

I wouldn’t suggest silicone but instead boat sealant like 3M 4200 or Sikaflex urethane. As for fasteners, when I restored my sailboat I bought stainless steel fasteners on Amazon. It was a mistake. The pitch wasn’t deep enough and the nuts galled and broke the fasteners. I subsequently just got them from the local hardware store.

 

How’s the east coast doing?!?!

 

Pretty good
Learned how to disconnect and more importantly how to reconnect my airbag connectors this morning with a little help from @InCogNeatOh Parts . Have to repin one that got yanked loose last year.

Weathers looking nice there!
Connector in question

 

Rtv. Makes a gasket that oil and gas won’t get thru, should be water tight otherwise @vssman has good recommendations

 

think it was the lower control arm bolts being loose.

 

This is what's in there now.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-Advan...rmiuUXtbKioTE-WKVd9JxX6ynEGhD9kBoCeRkQAvD_BwE

I don't plan to take that out just to put something else on if it's in good shape. The other fasteners I'd like to replace.

 

80 today. Spent all day on one of the bikes. Got home right before the sky opened up.

Was a great day.

 

Why did you guys need to take the bed off?

 

Easier access to brake lines and for cutting off the old strut mounts and leaf hangers. Jack has the hoist in the middle of the barn so it saved about the same amount of time it took to remove and reinstall

 

And the truck had snow all in the undercarriage and I wasn’t gunna lay in a puddle all weekend

 

At the Celtics. The game is starting soon!

 

Just to chime in unnecessarily, the hoist is the big thing. With that it's like 6 bolts and some electrical connectors. It's a big piece but relatively easy to unbolt. Removal is a bear WITHOUT an easy access hoist/lift. With one it's a 10 second cake walk.

 

This^^^^^

My flatbed has been on and off a few times. Gantry made it a breeze. Without, PITA.

 

Happy 21st birthday @GarlicFarts !!!

 

Happy Birthday Rob @GarlicFarts

 

Happy Birthday @GarlicFarts. Hope you dont have any dingleberries today

Tiff is a great photographer